SafePlants

Cryptocarya laevigata: Glossy Laurel and Red-Fruited Laurel

Cryptocarya laevigata, commonly known as glossy laurel or red-fruited laurel, is a fascinating rainforest plant native to eastern Australia. It's a member of the Lauraceae (Laurel) family.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant produces bright red edible fruit.

Considerations for Children

• The plant produces bright red edible fruit.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cryptocarya laevigata Blume
• Common Names: Glossy laurel, Red-fruited laurel
• Family: Lauraceae (Laurel family)
• Synonyms: Cryptocarya laevigata var. bowiei (Walp.) Kosterm.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the rainforests of eastern Australia.

Morphological Characteristics

• The new foliage emerges as a coppery red, maturing into roundish, thick-textured leaves.
• Mature leaves are very glossy dark green above and bluish green below, typically 2 to 3 inches in length.
• Bark is dark grey, rough and features pustular lenticels and irregular subrhytidome.
• Bark is dark red with a thickness of less than 25mm with 5.0mm thick blaze.
• The fruit is globular to ellipsoidal, ribbed, and ranges from 17 to 33 mm long and 17 to 38 mm wide.
• Fruit is red to orange-yellow in color.

Quirky Facts

• The genus name Cryptocarya is derived from the Greek words "cryptos" (hidden) and "caryon" referring to the hidden seed.
• While many species within the Cryptocarya genus in China are known for their black fruits, C. chingii Cheng is noted for its red fruits.

Related Species

• The species is often used interchangeably with Cryptocarya latifolia and C. woodii.

Additional Cryptocarya Species

Several other Cryptocarya species are notable for their conservation status and other interesting characteristics:

• Cryptocarya alba: Also known as Red Cryptocarya.
• Cryptocarya palawanensis: Listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.
• Cryptocarya membranacea: Listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List; it's a large evergreen tree.
• Cryptocarya elliptifolia: Listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List.
• Cryptocarya wyliei: Also known as Red Quince or red-haired laurel; is an evergreen, fruit-bearing ornamental shrub or small tree, ranging from 2 to 6 meters tall; easily grown from seed.
• Cryptocarya liebertiana: Produces subspherical fruit, about 2 cm in diameter, dark red to purple when ripe.